Pigskin Picks: Pigskin and bacon aren't quite the same

Published: Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 9:13 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 9:13 p.m.

At every restaurant I visit, the story is generally the same.

I want my bacon burned. Keep in mind that I'm a fat guy and fat dudes want their food just the way they order it. It embarrasses my wife like no words could describe. She tends to sink further in her seat behind her menu. She avoids all eye contact with our waiter or waitress.

I, however, make as much eye contact as possible. I want the server to understand how serious I am that I want my bacon to be crunchy.

"If I drop it on this table," I generally say in all seriousness, "I want my bacon to break into a million pieces."

The response generally gets a chuckle. Some just simply say, "okay." Some fishing for a big tip will follow up with the kitchen staff to ensure the "chubby dude" gets his bacon cooked correctly.

So often though, my bacon comes out nowhere close to what I envisioned. It comes out all rubbery and chewy. That kind of bacon will ruin a good cheeseburger. I've sent my burger back before.

Gasp. I know, I know. I'm a brave soul for even considering that. We've all imagined the worst things that a cook can do to our food before. Our helpless plates are powerless to what the masters of the kitchen can do. I mean, where's Gordon Ramsay when you need him? He'd make sure I got my bacon the way I wanted it.

I think a lot of the fans that file into local stadiums on Friday nights feel that way. Pigskin and bacon, while of the same farm animal, is not exactly the same thing.

Pigskin just isn't that easy to predict. There are not orders that the paying customers can make. There are requests, but not all are granted. Wouldn't it be nice if they were the same? A Hendersonville fan could walk into Dietz Stadium, size up the opponent and request his pigskin burned to a crisp.

That'd be heaven, right?

This has been a tough season for local fans. It's been almost the complete opposite of last season for most fans, in fact.

Not a lot of orders have come back to the satisfaction of the customers. The truth is though; the customers aren't the priority when it comes to pigskin. That's another difference from the bacon on your cheeseburger.

That's why, despite rough seasons, fans are still in the stands cheering on the kids on the field because they're what football is truly about. It's not about wins and losses. It's about kids learning to compete and be leaders.

It's not about how the bacon is served from the kitchen. It's about the process and the growth that happens on that field. I don't doubt that those kids want to win with all their hearts, but even in an 0-9 season, those kids are learning valuable lessons.

Life isn't always 11-0 seasons and state titles. You don't always get your pigskin ... or bacon the way you want, which makes the continued support of the fans in the stands all that much more important to the kids.

With that said, the season is quickly coming to a close and here are my picks for this week.

u u u

Last week: 13-1

Season: 106- 46

Games back: 16

North Henderson at Brevard

I've fallen pretty hard for Brevard since watching them against West Henderson in my first football game as the preps writer this season. This week, however, I think the Knights can roll into Brevard and bring home a win. The Knights are coming off of a three-game stretch of Tuscola, Franklin and Pisgah. That's a gauntlet for anyone. North is battle tested and its defense is so much improved. I can't help but think the Knights bring home a win ... North 24, Brevard 21.

Tuscola at East Henderson

Tuscola is coming off of a 49-13 win over West and I think West has a better offense than East. That doesn't bode well for the Eagles tonight ... Tuscola 42, East 7.

West Henderson at Franklin

I think the matchup between West and East next week is destined to be a battle of who can get their first win of the season. It'll add some excitement to disappointing seasons. It's going to be extremely tough for the Falcons to go on the road and win against the toughest team in the conference ... Franklin 56, West 7.

Polk County at Owen

This game is basically for the Western Highlands Conference title. Owen beat Hendersonville last week to make this a conference showdown. I picked Hendersonville last week because I thought they were athletic and talented enough to win that one and I think they would've if there hadn't been so many mistakes. I don't think Polk will make many mistakes tonight and of the other conference foes, I think the Wolverines have the best offense to maintain a 10-round battle with the Warhorses and star tailback Jager Gardner. I also think that the Wolverines may have the best defense in the conference. Polk has only allowed 57 points so far in conference play while scoring a 198. I think this will be a knockdown drag out that Polk will win in the fourth quarter ... Polk 31, Owen 28.

Swain County at Rosman

Rosman is coming off of its third win of the season. The road win at Cherokee, however, is nothing like what it will face against Swain tonight. Swain dismantled Andrews last week in a 56-19 win. Swain should win this one ... Swain 49, Rosman 21.

<p>At every restaurant I visit, the story is generally the same. </p><p>I want my bacon burned. Keep in mind that I'm a fat guy and fat dudes want their food just the way they order it. It embarrasses my wife like no words could describe. She tends to sink further in her seat behind her menu. She avoids all eye contact with our waiter or waitress. </p><p>I, however, make as much eye contact as possible. I want the server to understand how serious I am that I want my bacon to be crunchy. </p><p>"If I drop it on this table," I generally say in all seriousness, "I want my bacon to break into a million pieces."</p><p>The response generally gets a chuckle. Some just simply say, "okay." Some fishing for a big tip will follow up with the kitchen staff to ensure the "chubby dude" gets his bacon cooked correctly. </p><p>So often though, my bacon comes out nowhere close to what I envisioned. It comes out all rubbery and chewy. That kind of bacon will ruin a good cheeseburger. I've sent my burger back before. </p><p>Gasp. I know, I know. I'm a brave soul for even considering that. We've all imagined the worst things that a cook can do to our food before. Our helpless plates are powerless to what the masters of the kitchen can do. I mean, where's Gordon Ramsay when you need him? He'd make sure I got my bacon the way I wanted it. </p><p>I think a lot of the fans that file into local stadiums on Friday nights feel that way. Pigskin and bacon, while of the same farm animal, is not exactly the same thing. </p><p>Pigskin just isn't that easy to predict. There are not orders that the paying customers can make. There are requests, but not all are granted. Wouldn't it be nice if they were the same? A Hendersonville fan could walk into Dietz Stadium, size up the opponent and request his pigskin burned to a crisp. </p><p>That'd be heaven, right?</p><p>This has been a tough season for local fans. It's been almost the complete opposite of last season for most fans, in fact. </p><p>Not a lot of orders have come back to the satisfaction of the customers. The truth is though; the customers aren't the priority when it comes to pigskin. That's another difference from the bacon on your cheeseburger. </p><p>That's why, despite rough seasons, fans are still in the stands cheering on the kids on the field because they're what football is truly about. It's not about wins and losses. It's about kids learning to compete and be leaders. </p><p>It's not about how the bacon is served from the kitchen. It's about the process and the growth that happens on that field. I don't doubt that those kids want to win with all their hearts, but even in an 0-9 season, those kids are learning valuable lessons. </p><p>Life isn't always 11-0 seasons and state titles. You don't always get your pigskin ... or bacon the way you want, which makes the continued support of the fans in the stands all that much more important to the kids. </p><p>With that said, the season is quickly coming to a close and here are my picks for this week. </p><p>u u u</p><p>Last week: 13-1</p><p>Season: 106- 46</p><p>Games back: 16</p><p>North Henderson at Brevard</p><p>I've fallen pretty hard for Brevard since watching them against West Henderson in my first football game as the preps writer this season. This week, however, I think the Knights can roll into Brevard and bring home a win. The Knights are coming off of a three-game stretch of Tuscola, Franklin and Pisgah. That's a gauntlet for anyone. North is battle tested and its defense is so much improved. I can't help but think the Knights bring home a win ... North 24, Brevard 21.</p><p>Tuscola at East Henderson</p><p>Tuscola is coming off of a 49-13 win over West and I think West has a better offense than East. That doesn't bode well for the Eagles tonight ... Tuscola 42, East 7.</p><p>West Henderson at Franklin</p><p>I think the matchup between West and East next week is destined to be a battle of who can get their first win of the season. It'll add some excitement to disappointing seasons. It's going to be extremely tough for the Falcons to go on the road and win against the toughest team in the conference ... Franklin 56, West 7.</p><p>Polk County at Owen</p><p>This game is basically for the Western Highlands Conference title. Owen beat Hendersonville last week to make this a conference showdown. I picked Hendersonville last week because I thought they were athletic and talented enough to win that one and I think they would've if there hadn't been so many mistakes. I don't think Polk will make many mistakes tonight and of the other conference foes, I think the Wolverines have the best offense to maintain a 10-round battle with the Warhorses and star tailback Jager Gardner. I also think that the Wolverines may have the best defense in the conference. Polk has only allowed 57 points so far in conference play while scoring a 198. I think this will be a knockdown drag out that Polk will win in the fourth quarter ... Polk 31, Owen 28.</p><p>Swain County at Rosman</p><p>Rosman is coming off of its third win of the season. The road win at Cherokee, however, is nothing like what it will face against Swain tonight. Swain dismantled Andrews last week in a 56-19 win. Swain should win this one ... Swain 49, Rosman 21.</p><p>The other games</p><p>PISGAH at Smoky Mountain</p><p>Enka at MCDOWELL</p><p>ASHEVILLE at North Buncombe</p><p>REYNOLDS at Roberson</p><p>MOUNTAIN HERITAGE at Avery County</p><p>MADISON at Mitchell</p><p>Cherokee at ANDREWS</p><p>Hayesville at MURPHY</p><p>Q. Foundation at ROBBINSVILLE</p><p>CHRIST SCHOOL at Asheville School</p>